Evaluation of the prevalence of urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs: 566 cases (2003–2008)

ObjectivesTo evaluate associations between spaying and urinary incontinence in bitches under primary veterinary care in the UK.Materials and MethodsA case–control study was nested within the study population of 333,910 bitches, which included all bitches within the VetCompass database with an electronic patient record in 2016 or in both 2015 and 2017. The electronic records were searched automatically for urinary incontinence cases, which were manually reviewed for inclusion. All non‐cases were included as controls. Additional demographic and clinical information was extracted on cases and controls.ResultsThe study included 427 incident cases and 1708 controls that were presented between November 1, 2014 and October 31, 2017. Prior spaying was associated with increased odds of urinary incontinence (odds ratio: 3.01; 95% CIs: 2.23 to 4.05). Increased odds of urinary incontinence were additionally associated with increasing age and increasing bodyweight. Age at spay was not associated with urinary incontinence.Clinical SignificanceThe findings support spaying as a major risk factor associated with urinary incontinence, but age at spay appears to be of less clinical importance. These results will help assist clinicians in making evidence‐based recommendations on spaying while taking other considerations for urinary incontinence into account.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spaying and urinary incontinence in bitches under UK primary veterinary care: a case–control study

Pegram

O'Neill

Church

et al. 2019

“…The advice given to owners may vary according to breed, with neutering likely to be of greater relevance in dogs >15 kg, which are at higher risk of developing USMI (Forsee et al . ). A prospective study randomising dogs to “neuter” and “intact” would be required to investigate this issue further.…”

Section: Ectopic Uretersmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…, Forsee et al . ). In affected dogs, urine leakage most commonly occurs during sleep or in lateral recumbency, but leaking during excitement/barking/jumping is also reported (Holt , Rawlings , Claeys et al .…”

Section: Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetencementioning

confidence: 97%

Ureteral ectopia and urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence: an update on diagnosis and management options

Owen

2018

The two leading causes of urinary incontinence in dogs are ureteral ectopia in juveniles and urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence in adults. While the accuracy of diagnosis of ectopic ureters has improved due to increased use of CT and/or cystoscopy, the diagnosis of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence largely remains one of exclusion. New treatment options have been developed for both conditions, which have reduced morbidity and mortality, although the rate of long‐term urinary continence has not significantly improved for either and neither has our understanding of the pathophysiology behind these failures. This review provides updates on the management of both of these conditions, with discussion of controversial areas and thoughts for future directions.

“…), with heavier dogs (>15 kg) having approximately seven times the risk of acquired UI compared with lighter dogs (<15 kg) in one study (Forsee et al . ). Increasing age has been associated with an increased risk of UI in several studies (Thrusfield et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Associations between neutering and early‐onset urinary incontinence in UK bitches under primary veterinary care

Pegram

Brodbelt

Church

et al. 2019

Objectives To investigate association between neutering and early‐onset urinary incontinence in bitches under primary veterinary care in the UK. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study of bitches within VetCompass born between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012 that were followed until March 31, 2018. The clinical records were automatically searched and manually validated for incontinence cases. Incidence risk and rate over the study period were calculated. Cox regression modelling separately evaluated the hazard of urinary incontinence and association with neutering: (1) from the date of birth for all bitches, both neutered and entire; and, (2) from the date of neutering for the neutered subset. Other variables considered included breed, bodyweight and veterinary practice group. Results Overall, 492 bitches were identified with early‐onset urinary incontinence from a total of 72,971 included in the study period. Incidence risk was 0.68% (95% confidence intervals 0.62 to 0.74), while incidence rate increased with age. After accounting for confounding factors, increased hazard of early‐onset urinary incontinence was identified in: (1) neutered bitches, with the effect increasing with age; and, (2) bitches neutered before 6 months, within the first 2 years following neutering. In both models, increased hazard was additionally associated with increasing bodyweight and breed. Clinical Significance Neutering itself and early‐age neutering (<6 months) are major risk factors for early‐onset urinary incontinence. These results should be taken into account in making evidence‐based recommendations on neutering and its timing.